His elder brother, William V,
Count of Hainaut, had engaged in a long struggle with their
mother, obtaining Holland and Zeeland from her in 1354, and Hainaut
on her death in 1356. William was supported by the party of
burghers of cities. They were opposed to by Hooks, the party of
disaffected nobles who were supporters of Empress Margaret.
Margaret had been Countess of Holland, Zeeland and Hainault in
succession to her brother William IV, who was killed in battle. She
had resigned her sovereignty in favour of her son William V, but
the result was a period of great upheavals and chaos which gave
rise to the formation of these two opposing parties.

However, William's insanity resulted in the appointment of the
then 22-year-old Albert as governor (or regent or ruwaard)
of his brother's territories from 1358 onwards. During Albert's
regency, affairs ran smoothly and trade improved. Troubles between
the two political parties, the Hooks (Hoeks) and
Cods (Kabeljauws), remained barely beneath the surface.
William lived for another thirty years. Albert did not formally
succeed him until his death in 1388, by which time he had already
married his daughters to a number of Imperial princes and other
nobles. The eldest daughter to have issue was Margaret; her son Philip
III, Duke of Burgundy would ultimately inherit Albert's
territories.

In Albert's own reign, troubles erupted between the parties
because of a woman. Albert always had mistresses, but this time his
attentions were drawn to Aleid van Poelgeest, a Cod, very
beautiful, who gained political influence which was resented. A
plot was hatched among the Hooks as well as members of Albert's
household. One September night in 1392 Aleid was murdered in The Hague.

In his rage Albrecht persecuted the Hoeks, by sword and fire,
conquering one castle after the other. Even his own son and heir
William did not feel safe and went to live in Hainault. During his
last years, Albrecht fought the Frisians. They were beaten time and time
again, but were never completely conquered.

On Albert's death in 1404, he was succeeded by his eldest son,
William. A younger son, John
III, became Bishop of Liège.
However, on William's death in 1417, a war of succession broke out
between John and William's daughter Jacqueline of Hainaut. This would be the
last episode of the Hook and Cod wars and finally place
the counties into Burgundian hands.

Family and
children

Coats of Arms of the Counts of Hainaut and Holland of Wittelsbach
family.

Albert married in Passau
after July 19, 1353, Margaret of Brieg from Silesia (1342/43 – 1386), and
had seven children, all of whom lived to adulthood: